Switching web hosts is common. Hosting gets old, prices change, and sometimes you just need a faster server. A move can go smoothly, but only if you check more than whether the home page loads. Here is the list we use.
Before the move
- Back up everything. Files and the database, stored somewhere other than the old server.
- Write down your email setup. If your email is at Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 and your website is somewhere else, the DNS records that route mail must not change by accident. A site move that breaks email is a real risk, so plan for it.
- List every form and what it does. Contact forms, payment forms, support tickets. Know where each one sends its messages.
- Keep the old server running. Do not cancel it until the new one has been tested and watched for a while. It is your way back.
Test before you switch
Use a temporary address or your computer’s hosts file to see the new server without changing DNS. Check pages, images, menus, and the blog. Do not test live payment forms with real submissions.
After the switch
- Load your home page, a few inner pages, and a few blog posts. Look for missing images.
- Send a test email to your business address from another account and make sure it arrives.
- Submit your contact form once and make sure the message reaches the right inbox.
- Check that your SSL certificate (the padlock) is active.
- Look at your site on your phone.
- Keep an eye on the site for several days. Missing images and old links can show up after the switch.
A little care up front means your visitors never notice you moved. If you would rather not handle it yourself, we do website moves for clients and test each step along the way.
Phil Graves owns All Saints Media, where he designs websites and graphics that help churches, nonprofits, and businesses connect with the people they serve. He has worked in web and graphic design for more than 20 years. Phil is also the senior pastor of Lake Lynn Baptist Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and teaches pastors practical ways to use AI without losing their voice. He and his wife Kristie have five children. Learn more at philgraves.me.